March 2009
Parliament House Open Day - Sunday 22 March 2009
Parliament House Open Day provides an opportunity to see inside the historic Parliament House building, one of Melbourne's best-known landmarks. Visitors can undertake a self-guided tour through the building, followed by a stroll through the magnificent Parliamentary Gardens.
Parliament House will be open from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm on Sunday, 22 March 2009 and entry is free. Come along and visit Parliament House to see areas of the building not usually open to the public. Sit in the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council Chambers and visit the Parliamentary Library. Why not enjoy morning or afternoon tea in the Members' Dining Room?
As you wander through this historic building on your self-guided tour, Members and staff of the Parliament will be on hand to answer your questions. For further information, please visit the Parliament of Victoria website.
Premier's Active Families Challenge
Take the Challenge: 30 minutes of activity a day for 30 days between 8 March - 19 April 2009
We all know that every little bit helps when it comes to the health of your family. And pulling the kids away from the TV or computer can be a challenge.
That's why the Victorian Government is running the second Premier's Active Families Challenge. It's a 'Go for your life' initiative and aims to improve the physical activity levels, health and wellbeing of families.
Families can complete the Challenge by doing at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day for 30 days between 8 March and 19 April 2009. You can do the activity on your own or as a family and you have six weeks to complete your 30 days so it doesn't matter if you miss a day or two.
To participate, register online at goforyourlife.vic.gov.au or phone 1300 73 98 99.
As a registered participant you'll get ideas on fun things to do, tips on getting healthier and more active, events to get involved in, a chance to win prizes and a completion certificate from the Premier. You will also receive offers such as 15 free visits to YMCA and 15 per cent off at Rebel Sport.
So go on, get active and take the Challenge! For more information visit goforyourlife.vic.gov.au or call 1300 73 98 99.
Working with Children Check
In 2006, the Victorian Government introduced a new checking system to help protect children under 18 years of age from physical or sexual harm.
The Working with Children (WWC) Check creates a mandatory minimum checking standard across Victoria and is being phased in over five years. The WWC Check helps to keep children safe by preventing those who pose a risk to the safety of children from working with them, in either paid or volunteer work.
Unlike a police records check, the WWC Check considers certain offences and is valid for five years (unless revoked). During this period, cardholders continue to be checked for new offences or disciplinary findings by prescribed professional bodies. You may still need to apply for a WWC Check even if you have already had a police records check.
If you work or volunteer with children you may need to apply for a WWC Check. Employers, volunteer organisations and agencies must ensure that any of their staff or volunteers who need a WWC Check have applied by the due date. If you need a WWC Check, you must apply by the due date for your field of child-related work. The next due date is 30 June 2009.
For more information visit www.justice.vic.gov.au/workingwithchildren or ring 1300 652 879 from 8.30 am to 5:00 pm weekdays.
2009 International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day (IWD) was celebrated with an events program that stretched over the full week of 2 - 8 March and heralded a range of on-going programs. It was a significant week for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments as well as honouring and promoting women and their actions and achievements.
As part of these celebrations, the Minister for Women's Affair, Minister Maxine Morand MP, announced the 2009 Victorian Honour Roll of Women inductees. The Victorian Honour Roll of Women celebrates the lives and outstanding actions and achievements of the new inductees, actions that have brought about changes to the lives of Victorian women and their communities.
Nominees for the Victorian Honour Roll of Women were drawn from a range of backgrounds including education, health services, the environment, volunteers and the community and provide a fascinating snapshot of our society.
Nominations for the 2010 Victorian Honour Roll will open in mid 2009.
For more information visit www.women.vic.gov.au or ring 9208 3129.
4th Forensic Disabilities Conference 15-17 July, 2009 - Call for Papers
Though governments are mindful of human rights in legislative and decision-making processes, there are people who are disadvantaged due to disability, mental illness or culturally diverse backgrounds.
The 4th Forensic Disabilities Conference, held from 15 - 17th July, supported by the Departments of Justice and Human Services, seek the counsel of professionals, advocates, consumers and survivors in examining, and discussing, issues related to human rights throughout the forensic disability arena.
Proposals for papers and workshops are invited. Possible themes include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Self-advocacy in criminal justice
- Indigenous issues in forensic disability
- Inclusive research and consumer involvement
- The inclusion of human rights in legislative decision making
- Victimisation in the forensic disability population
The deadline for receipt of abstracts is 31 March, 2009.
For more details contact: info@conorg.com.au or phone: (03) 9349 2220.
New Publications
Commercial Publications
Lygon Street - Stories and Recipes From Melbourne's Melting Pot
by Harden, Michael @ $59.95
Step by Step Guide to Creating Your Family Tree Using Your Computer
by Hoote, Gavin and Smith, Cheryl @ $19.95
Local Histories
Bitter Roots, Sweet Fruit - A History of Schools in Collingwood, Abbotsford and Clifton Hill
by Cummings, Karen @ $22.00
Gertrude Street Fitzroy
by Robertson, Jill @ $8.95
Mapping Products
Tasmania Travel Guide
published by Lonely Planet @ $35.95
Western Port Fishing Map 6 (2008 Edition)
by Australian Fishing Network @ $7.95
Gippsland Lakes Fishing Map 8 (2008 Edition)
by Australian Fishing Network @ $7.95
Reports
Literacy and Numeracy Achievement
by the Victorian Auditor-General @ $20.00
New Legislation
New Acts
New Statutory Regulations
Visit the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website for a list of all Victorian acts and statutory rules.
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Lygon Street - Stories and Recipes From Melbourne's Melting Pot
Features a collection of recipes from iconic Lygon Street restaurants and celebrates the rich diversity of cafes, shops and businesses that have existed on this colourful shopping strip over the past 150 years.
Renovating - When renovating your house keep in mind that each place is different - what works well in somebody's Post-war house may be inappropriate in your Victorian era home. Understand your home - what are the specific qualities that make up its style or character? Make sure any alterations work with these features, rather than replacing them.
For more information check out What House is That at www.heritage.vic.gov.au or ring Information Victoria on 1300 366 356 for a free copy.
Victoria's two faunal emblems: Leadbeater's Possum and Helmeted Honeyeater are unique to Victoria. The Leadbeater's Possum was thought to be extinct until rediscovered in 1961. For more information on all of our State emblems visit the protocol section of www.dpc.vic.gov.au.
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